GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made his feelings about Aaron Rodgers very clear on Saturday.

“This guy is our quarterback. He’s our leader of our team and I want nothing more than to see him back out in a Packer uniform,” LaFleur said. “We've been able to accomplish a lot of great feats over the last two years, two straight NFC championship games. I know the seasons haven't ended the way we wanted them to but … in my eyes he's the greatest to ever do it.”

As for the draft, in the fourth round, the Packers took versatile offensive lineman Royce Newman from Mississippi. He can play guard or tackle. The Packers used two fifth round picks on defense, selecting 330-pound defensive tackle T.J. Slaton from Florida and cornerback Shamar Jean-Charles from Appalachian State.

In the sixth round, with the 214th pick overall, the Packers made a popular local choice. They selected offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen from Bay Port High School and the University of Wisconsin. 

When the Packers called him, his phone said “Likely Spam”. Instead, it was life-changing.

“This is the one in a million chance, an opportunity. I am so excited,” said Van Lanen. “Really work my butt off and help this team win a Super Bowl. Just to have it a few miles from where I grew up. This is the team I watched my entire life. I'm gonna be part of such a special program. I'm beyond excited. This is a massive day, not only for just me, but my family. This made it ten times even more special that's for sure.”

With another sixth round pick, the Packers took Isaiah McDuffie, a college teammate of AJ Dillon at Boston College. In the seventh round, the Packers took Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill, perhaps best known for his role in getting the state of Mississippi flag changed.

 Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst is excited about the nine players the Packers drafted over the three days.

“I feel really good about this group,” he said. “There’s some guys that are gonna help us immediately. I just think they're all suited, kind of for a long term success in the NFL.”

Wisconsin defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk was taken in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Former Badgers cornerback Rachad Wildgoose went in the sixth round to Buffalo.